Brake controlling device



Filed Jan. 26, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 CH/FATE 0F RETARDAT/ON (TORQUE) PED INVENTOR 7 JOHN w. LOGANJJR ATTORN EY Patented June 23, 1936 UNITD STATES PATENT OFFICE BRAKE CONTROLLING DEVICE Application January 26, 1935, Serial No. 3,589

30 Claims.

This invention relates to brake controlling devices, and more particularly to means for controlling a combined fluid pressure and electric brake system intended for railway trains and traction vehicles.

Where railways trains and traction vehicles are equipped with a friction type brake, there is always considerable danger of causing sliding of the wheels when the brakes are applied. Wheel sliding may be caused by applying the brakes with too great a braking force for the then existing speed, or by a failure to reduce the initial braking force as the speed of the vehicle or train decreases and the coefficient of friction between the rubbing parts of the brakes increases. Sliding of the wheels is objectionable in that the retarding force of sliding wheels is less than that of rolling wheels, and also in that flat places are worn on the wheel treads thereby rendering the Wheels unfit for regular service.

It is well known that not all of the wheels are caused to slide, and tests with trains show that only a relatively few number of wheels actually slide. However, it is desirable that no wheels shall slide, and there has heretofore been proposed a number of devices for either preventing or correcting sliding of individual wheels. These devices have all dealt principally with the control of friction type brakes and operate to release the friction brakes upon the sliding of a wheel or pairs of wheels.

There is however one type of brake which is self-correcting as regards sliding of the wheels and which does not require the use of auxiliary devices for reducing the braking force when the wheels associated with the brake begin to slip. This type brake is that commonly referred to as the eddy current brake, which has now become well known in the art. It is characteristic of the eddy current brake that the braking torque diminishes to zero at zero rotational speed, so that if this type of brake only be applied the wheels will not actually slide, although they may slip.

If the rail surface is too slippery for full brak- J ing torque of the eddy current brake, then the wheels will slip on the rails and begin rotating at a speed lower than that corresponding to the speed of the vehicle. The rotational speed of the slipping wheels will diminish until the eddy current braking torque has decreased sufiiciently to balance the then existing friction between wheels and rails. As soon as the slippery portion of the rail is passed over, or if sand is applied to the rails, the friction between the slipping wheels and rails is increased and the speedof the wheels will also increase, so that the eddy current braking will improve. If the friction between wheels and rails increases sufiiciently, the wheels will return to their normal speed. It will thus be seen that when braked by an eddy current brake 5 the wheels will always be kept rolling, and the retarding force of the wheels will be that due to rolling wheels instead of that due in part to sliding wheels.

While an eddy current brake may be designed to operate very effectively over a wide range of speeds, it is well known that as the speed of the vehicle diminishes a point will be reached at some low speed where the eddy current braking eifect diminishes, first slowly and then rapidly, until at zero speed the eddy current brakes will be ineffective to hold the vehicle at rest if on a slight grade. It is therefore customary to employ a friction brake which is cut into action at the very end of the deceleration period and held applied thereafter to hold the vehicle or train at rest. This insures that adequate braking will be produced to bring the vehicle or train to a stop on grades.

Braking equipments employing both an eddy current brake and a friction brake have heretofore been proposed, the friction brake being out into action when the braking effect of the eddy current brake diminishes below a predetermined value. In these combined braking equipments there is a danger that the friction brake will be undesirably cut into action when the braking effect of one or more eddy current brakes reduces due to slipping of a number of the wheels. This will of course aggravate the wheel slipping condition and cause the wheels to lock and thus slide.

It is a principal object of this invention to provide a combined eddy current and friction brake equipment in which the friction brakes are cut into action when the eddy current braking effect decreases below a predetermined value, but which prevents the friction brakes from being out into action when slipping wheels cause a diminution in the eddy current braking effect during the time when the eddy current brakes are normally effective.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel interlock mechanism between the eddy current brakes and the friction brakes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel arrangement of inertia operated devices for controlling both the eddy current brakes and the friction brakes, and for insuring their operation at the proper times.

Other specific objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following description, which is taken in connection with the attached drawings, wherein,

Figures 1A and 1B, taken together, show in schematic and somewhat diagrammatic form a view of apparatus comprising one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a view along the line 2-2 of a portion of the inertia operated mechanism shown in Figure 1A.

Figure 3 is a similar view along the line 33 of Figure 1A.

Figure 4 is yet another similar view along the line 44 of Figure 1A.

Figure 5 is a partly diagrammatic view of the brake valve device shown in Figure 1A.

Figure 6 is a graph depicting certain operating characteristics of the eddy current brake, shown somewhat in exaggerated form.

Referring now to the drawings, and considering the apparatus there shown briefly at first, I have shown in diagrammatic form four eddy current type brakes represented by windings I0 and rotors l2, and four brake cylinders [4. This embodiment is illustrated in connection with a vehicle having four axles, in which one brake cylinder and one eddy current brake is intended to be associated with each axle.

For controlling the supply of current to the windings l 0 I have provided a current controlling device l6, and for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure to the brake cylinders 14, I have provided a self-lapping brake valve device l8 and relay valve devices 20.

In order to provide for an interlock between the eddy current brakes and fluid pressure brakes so that the fluid pressure brakes are cut into action when the eddy current brakes diminish in effectiveness below a predetermined value, but which prevents cutting in of the fluid pressure brakes when the efiectiveness of the eddy current brakes is diminshed due to wheel slipping alone, I have provided a magnet valve device 24, electrical relays 26, 28 and 30, and an inertia operated mechanism 32.

For adjusting the inertia operated mechanism 32, to determine the changeover from the eddy current brakes to the fluid pressure brakes, and for operating the current controlling device l6 and the brake valve device l8, to vary, respectively, the current supplied to the eddy current brake devices, and the fluid pressure supplied to the brake cylinders, I have provided a control mechanism 34.

For applying both the eddy current brakes and the fluid pressure brakes when an emergency application is effected I have provided a cut-off valve device 22.

Considering now more in detail the apparatus enumerated above, each eddy current brake device comprises a winding l0 and a rotor I2, while friction brakes are operated by brake cylinders l 4. Each eddy current brake and each friction brake may be constructed to operate independently of each other, or they may be combined as in the manner shown in my Patent No. 2,012,747.

The current controlling device i6 is embodied in a casing having an operating shaft 36 upon similar contact fingers 4i, and to thereafter sequentially engage other similar contact fingers 42 to cut out, progressively, portions of a resistance 43. The contact fingers 40, 4| and 42 are insulated from each other and from the casing of the current controlling device M5 by an insulating member 44, as shown in the drawings.

Each of the relay valve devices 20 is embodied in a casing having disposed therein a poppet valve 46 for controlling the fiow of fluid under pressure from a valve chamber 41 to a second chamber 48. The valve chamber 4'! is connected to a source of supply of fluid under pressure, as for example a reservoir 49, and when the poppet valve 46 is in unseated position, fluid under pressure may flow from the chamber 41, and reservoir 49, to the chamber 48. The valve 46 is normally held in seated position by a spring 50, and is adapted to be actuated to unseated position by pressure applied to valve stem 5|.

Disposed in the chamber 48 is a slide valve 52, which controls communication between the chamber 48 and the atmosphere by way of exhaust port 53.

For actuating the slide valve 52 and for unseating the poppet valve 46, there is provided a piston 54 disposed in a piston chamber 55, and provided with a stem 56 having collars thereon adapted to engage slide valve 52 with a lost motion movement, and having an end 57 adapted to engage the valve stem 5 I. For guiding movement of the piston 54, the stem is provided with a guiding piston 58 slidably disposed in a bore 59, and apertured at 60 to provide for the flow of fluid under pressure from the chamber 48 to a chamber 6| to the left of the piston 54.

The cut-off valve device 22 is embodied in a casing provided with a slide valve chamber 64 and a piston chamber 55. Disposed in the slide valve chamber 64 is a slide valve 66, and disposed in the piston chamber 65 is a piston 6'! for operating the slide valve 86. The piston 61 is provided with a stem 68, which is recessed to receive the slide valve 65. A spring 69 engages the end of the stem 68 to urge the piston 61 to a biased position to the left. The piston 61 is actuated to the right, against opposition of spring 69, by the supply of fluid above a predetermined pressure to piston chamber 65.

The magnet valve device 24 is embodied in a casing provided with a supply valve 10 and a release valve 7| suitably connected so that a spring 12 urges the supply valve toward seated position and the release valve toward unseated position. In the upper part of the valve device casing is an electromagnet, which when energized actuates a stem 13 downwardly to seat the release valve H and to unseat the supply valve 10.

The self-lapping brake valve device I8 is embodied in a, casing defining a. pressure chamber I5, and is provided with a supply valve 16 adapted to control the supply of fluid under pressure from a supply chamber Ti to the pressure chamber 15.

The supply valve 16 is urged toward seated posi- 1 tion by a spring 18, and the supply valve chamber 11 is connected to the reservoir 49 by way of pipe 74.

In another part of the casing there is provided a movable abutment 80, in the form of a piston, operatively disposed in a chamber BI and subject on one side to pressure from a spring 82 and on the other side to pressure from the pressure chamber 15. The tension on the spring 82 may be regulated by a regulating member 83,

and movement of the movable abutment to the right may be regulated by an adjustable stop 84.

Interiorly of the movable abutment B0 is a. release valve 86, urged toward an unseated position by a spring 81. When the release valve 86 is in unseated position, the pressure chamber 15 is in communication with the atmosphere, by way of passages 88, chamber BI, and exhaust port 89.

For actuating the supply valve 16 to unseated position, and for actuating the release valve 86 to seated position, there is provided a lever mechanism comprising a lever pivotally secured intermediate its ends to and carried by a floating pivot carrier 9| at 92. The pivot carrier 9| is slidable in a bore 93 and supported in alignment therewith by a lug or bracket 94.

Pivotally secured to the lower end of the lever 90 is a stem having one end disposed in a coacting slot in the supply valve 16. Pivotally secured to the upper end of the lever 90 is a roller 96, which is adapted to engage the outermost end of the release valve 66.

It is to be here understood that the releasevalve spring 81 is a lighter spring than the supply valve spring 18, and that both of these springs are lighter than the regulating spring 82. As a consequence, when the pivot carrier 9| is actuated to the right, the release valve 86 will first seat, the lever 90 pivoting about its lower end for this movement, and thereafter the lever will pivot about its upper end to unseat the supply valve 16. When the pivot carrier 9| is moved to the left, the reverse of this sequence takes place.

For actuating the pivot carrier 9| to the right, there is provided an operating lever 90 rigidly secured to a shaft 99. Secured to an outer end of the shaft 99 is a bell crank lever I00, which is normally urged in a clockwise direction by a spring IBI. When the bell crank lever I00 is rotated in a clockwise direction, operating lever 98 actuates the pivot carrier 9| to the right to perform the operations above set forth. Rotation of the bell crank lever I00 is regulated by manipulation of a'rod I02 pivotally secured to an arm of the bell crank lever. In the view shown in Figure 5, the parts are in normal release position, springs 18 and 81 and rod I02 urging the pivot carrier 9| to the left, positioning the operating lever 98 against a stop I03.

The inertia operated mechanism 32 comprises a base plate I05 having disposed thereon three rolling bodies I06, I08 and H0. Each of these bodies is mounted on wheels I I I in a manner such that the frictional resistance during movement of each body is reduced to a minimum.

The body I06 is normally biased to a position against stops I I2 by a spring H4. The body I08 is biased to a position against a stop II5 by a spring II6, which is lighter than the spring H4. It is to be noted that the spring I I6 reacts against the body I00, while the spring II4 reacts against a stop II1. Movement of the two bodies I06 and I08 is guided by a rod II3 which passes through apertures in the two bodies, and which has one end secured to the stop H1 and the other secured to the stop II 5.

The body H0 is urged to a biased position against a. stop I20 by a spring I22, which is to be understood as being a duplicate of the spring I I4. Movement of the body I I0 is also guided by a rod I23 which passes through an aperture in the body and has one end secured to, the stop II 1 and the other secured to the stop I20. The spring I 22 reacts against the stop I I 1, in the same manner as the aforementioned spring II i.

Carried by and insulated from the body IIO are two contacts I24. These contacts are adapted tobe normally open and are adapted to be closed by engagement of a. lug I25 on the body I06 with an insulating element I26 mounted on the end of the longer of the two contacts, as will be apparent from the view in Figure 1A.

Also disposed on the base plate I65, and movable relative thereto, are two other contacts I29 and I29, each of which is adapted to be engaged by a third contact I30. These three contacts are carried by an insulating member I3I disposed on a rod I32 slidable in apertures of lugs I33. The contact I30 is normally in engagement with the contact I29, but may be disengaged therefrom and caused to engage the contact I28 by a lug I34 on the body III], the lug engaging an insulating element I35 on the end of the contact I30.

The contact group I28, I29 and I30 is urged toward the left by a spring I38, but the position of the contact group is determined by operation of the control mechanism 34, as will more fully hereinafter appear.

The inertia operated mechanism 32 is positioned on the vehicle, so that when the vehicle is decelerating, the three bodies I 06, I 08 and H0 are urged toward the left, against opposition of the springs above described. Now the weights of the three bodies are proportioned so that the two bodies I 09 and I08 have the same weight, while the body I I0 has a weight twice that of either of the other two bodies.

When the brakes are applied and the vehicle begins to decelerate, the body III! will move tothe left according to the rate of deceleration. At the same time, bodies I95 and I08 will also move to the left, but each of these bodies moves under a force of inertia equal to one-half of the force of inertia which moves the body IIii. If the two bodies I06 and I08 were to maintain their relative positions during movement as in their biased positions it will be obvious that spring II4 will be compressed only half as much as spring I22.

However, the body I08 will ultimately transmit its force of inertia to the body I06 by compressing spring II6. The body I08 must therefore move further than the body I06, and the time interval required for this to take place causes the body Hi] to move to its balanced position to the left before the body I05 reaches its balanced position to the left. Or in other words, due to the intervention of spring I I6 between the two bodies I06 and I08, the body IIO always moves ahead of the body I96, the two bodies however coming to rest directly adjacent each other, with the springs H0 and I22 compressed to the same degree.

Now when the brakes are released, a like phenomenon takes place. The body H0 will immediately move to the right according to the decrease in force of inertia, while the movement of body I06 will be delayed until the body I08 will have moved far enough to the right to release the pressure'in the compressed spring H6. The earlier movement of the body H0 causes contacts I24 to be closed by the engagement with the lug I 25 on the body I06. This will however cause only a momentary engagement of contacts I 24, but is sufficient for the purpose intended, as will more fully appear presently.

When the body I I0 moves to the left during deceleration, the lug I34 disengages contact I30 from contact I29, and causes contact I30 to engage contact I28, for a purpose which will be described shortly.

The handle mechanism 34 comprises an operating handle I40 secured to a shaft I4I, which may be an extension of the aforementioned shaft 30, or a separate shaft coupled thereto.

Disposed on the shaft I4I are two cams I42 and I43. The cams I42 and I43 are similar, and of the general configuration shown in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 4, the handle I40 has a Release position, and is movable through an Application zone. When moved through the Application zone ie cam I42 permits spring I38 to actuate the contact group I28, I30 and I29 to the left. At the same time, cam I43 permits spring IOI to actuate the pivot carrier 9 I, in the brake valve device I8, to the right a corresponding degree. And in addition, the drum 31, of the current controlling device I6, is likewise rotated, so that manipulation of the single handle I40 operates all of the control devices in synchronism to effect a proper and desired control of the brake application.

The operation of this embodiment of my invention is as follows:

In the drawings the parts have been illustrated for a release condition of the brakes, so that neither the fluid pressure friction brakes nor the eddy current brakes are effective in producing a retarding force on the vehicle or train.

When it is desired to effect an application of the brakes, the handle I40 is moved through the Appiication zone to a degree according to a desired degree of braking. This movement of the handle results in positioning the contact group I23, I 29, and I39 to the left, operation of the pivot carrier 9| in the brake valve device I8 to the right, and rotation of the drum 31 to some current supplying position.

When the pivot carrier 9| is actuated to the right, the release valve 86 is first seated, to close '18 communication between the pressure chamber I5 and the atmosphere, and the supply valve i6 is next unseated, to supply fluid under pressure from the reservoir 49 to the pressure chamber, by way of pipe 14, valve chamber I7 and past the unseated supply valve 16. From the pressure chamber I5, fluid flows through pipe I46, past unseated supply valve iii in the magnet valve device 24, pipe I41, cavity I48 in slide valve 66 of the cut-off valve device 22, and pipe I49 to piston chamber 55 in each relay valve device 20. Each piston 54 is then actuated toward application position, to first blank off exhaust port 53 and to thereafter unseat poppet valve 46, to supply fluid under pressure from the reservoir 49 to the brake cylinders I4, to a degree corresponding to that supplied to piston chamber 55.

Magnet valve device 24 is energized at this time to hold supply valve I0 unseated and release valve II seated, through the engagement of contacts I29 and I30, the circuit to the magnet valve device including, beginning at a battery I50, conductors I5I and I52, contacts I29 and I30, conductor I53, contacts I54 of relay 30, conductor I55, magnet valve device 24, and conductor I58.

Fluid under pressure also flows from the pressure chamber I5 to piston chamber 65 in the cut-off valve device 22, but the spring 69 is designed to hold piston 61 in its biased position to the left, and hence maintain communication between pipes I41 and I49, for all pressures in piston chamber 65 below a predetermined value, which is higher than that normally employed for making service applications of the brakes.

At the same time fluid under pressure is supplied to the brake cylinders as just described, contact segment 39, of current controlling device I6, has connected together contact fingers 4!, to connect windings I0 to a source of power supply, by way of trolley I58, contacts I59 of a circuit breaker I68, conductor I6I, resistance 43, and conductors I62. The windings II! are thus energized according to the amount of the resistance 43 remaining in circuit.

With both the fluid pressure and eddy current brakes applied, the vehicle or train will immediately begin to decelerate, and the three bodies I06, I08 and H0, of the inertia operated mechanism 32, will be urged to the left. Now the parts are so designed that the rate of retardation will always reach a value such that lug I34 on body H0 engages contact I30, to disengage it from the contact I29, and cause it to engage contact I28.

Disengagement from the contact I29 opens the circuit to the magnet valve device 24, whereupon spring I2 will seat supply valve I0 and unseat release valve 1 I. The supply of fluid under pressure to the relay valve piston chambers 55 will then be out ofi, and the pressure in these chambers will be released to the atmosphere, through an exhaust port I63 in the magnet valve device. The fluid pressure brakes will thus be released when a braking efiect exceeding a chosen value, which is determined by the position of the contact group I28, I29 and I30, has been attained.

When contact I30 engages contact I28, both of relays 26 and 28 will be energized. The circuit to these two relays, beginning from the battery I58, includes conductors I5! and I52, contacts I28 and I30, and conductor I64, which connects with both relays, the return circuit to the battery I58 being by way of conductor I65.

Energization of the relay 26 causes it to close its contacts I68, I69 and I10, closing of contacts I68 serving to energize a holding coil on the relay through a circuit which includes, beginning at battery I50, conductors I5I and I'll, contact fingers 40, conductor I72, contacts I68, the holding coil of the relay, and conductor I65. The relay is therefore maintained energized through this holding circuit, until the current controlling device 56 is again operated to release position. Closing of the other contacts of this relay performs no functions at this time.

Although relay 28 opens its contacts I73 and I'M at the same time the contacts of relay 26 are closed, no function is performed at this time, but the two relays are merely conditioned to be in readiness to perform functions hereinafter to be described.

Now the positioning of the contact group I28, I29 and I30 and the rotation of the drum 31 in the current controlling device I6 are so coordinated that the braking effect produced by the eddy current brakes during their eifective period is suificient to maintain the body IIO to the left far enough to hold contacts I28 and I30 in engagement. With the eddy current brakes thus maintained energized at a substantially constant value, the rate of retardation will be according to the speed-torque characteristic of the eddy current brakes.

If however the braking effect produced by the eddy current brakes should be so great as to cause some of the wheels to slip, then the rate of retardation will immediately decrease and the 75 body I II) will move to the right. When it does so, contact I30 disengages from contact I28 and contacts I24 will be momentarily closed, due to the movement of the body IIB ahead of the movement of the body I06.

Disengagement of contact I39 from contact I28 will however deenergize only the relay 28, the relay 26 being maintained energized through the aforementioned holding circuit. However, relay 28 is of the slow release type and will not permit its contacts I13 and I14 to close until a predetermined interval of time will have elapsed.

Closing of contacts I24 energizes relay 30 which will immediately open its contacts I54 and close its contacts I 16. The circuit to the relay 3%) from battery I50 includes conductors I5I and I52, contacts I24, conductor I44, relay 3!] and conductor I65. The energization of this relay will be only momentary, as before described, but this relay is also of the slow release type, so that before it will have'opened contacts I15 and closed contacts I54, it will have supplied current to a sanding device I18 to cause the rails to be sanded, and will have at the same time opened the circuit to the magnet valve device 24, so as to preclude any possibility of fluid under pressure being supplied to the brake cylinders during slipping of the wheels.

When the wheels commence to slip the braking effect of the eddy current brakes decreases, but with sand deposited on the rails the adhesion be tween wheels and rails increases sufliciently for the slipping wheels to immediately commence to roll at or near normal speed again and the eddy current braking effect then increases. Thus the braking eiiort of these wheels is that due to rolling wheels instead of that due to sliding wheels, which would be very much less.

As soon as the wheels approach substantially normal speed the rate of retardation will have increased to the point where contacts I28 and I30 again engage and relay 28 is reenergized. The release time of this relay is designed to be slow enough to permit the rate of retardation to thus pick up before it will have closed its contacts H3 and I14, so that this relay will hold its contacts open for practically the entire time the eddy current brakes are eifective, even though slipping or sliding of the wheels occurs.

The release time of relay 3!] is also designed to prevent closing of contacts I54 before the rate of retardation will have again reached the former rate, so that the possibility of a fluid pressure brake application is prevented.

If no further slipping of the wheels occurs, the eddy current brakes will remain fully effective until. a speed is reached at which the eddy current braking effect begins to decrease, due to the decrease in speed of the vehicle.

When this point is reached, the rate of re-. tardation begins to decrease and the body IIEl moves to the right to permit contact I30 to disengage from contact I23 and to engage contact I29, but does not move fast enough to cause closing of contacts I24. Magnet valve device 24 will then be energized, whereupon fluid under pressure will flow to the relay valve devices 29, to supply fluid under pressure to the brake cylinders I4.

Disengagement of contact I38 from contact I28 deenergizes relay 28, which after a definite interval of time will permit its contacts I13 and 14 to close. Closing of contacts I13 will cause energizaticn of the circuit breaker I and this circuit breaker will open its contacts I59, to deenergize the eddy current brakes. The eddy current brakes are thus cut out a short time after the fluid pressure brakes are. cut in. The circuit to the circuit breaker I60, includes, beginning at battery I50, conductors I5I and I 86, contacts I13, contacts I69, circuit breaker I63, and conductor I65.

Closing of contacts I 14 forms another circuit to the magnet valve device 24, including, beginning at the battery I5t', conductors I5I and ifiil, contacts 513, I69, Hi) and H4, conductor E55, magnet valve device 24, and conductor I56. This circuit provides for sustained energization of the magnet valve device should relay 30 be subsequently energized due to relative movement between the bodies 05 and III) as the vehicle or train comes to astop.

Now the parts are so designed that the braking effect produced by the fluid pressure brakes increases just fast enough to insure stopping of the train and holding it at rest. Even though the eddy current braking efiect is decreasing, it in itself is suiflcient and substantially effective in bringing the train to a stop, but it is desirable that the two braking eifects shall overlap to insure a more prompt stop, especially on grades.

It will thus be seen that the interlock arrangement provided prevents applications of the fluid pressure brakes for wheel slipping conditions but operates to cut in the fluid pressure brakes when the eifectiveness of the eddy current brakes decreases and remains decreased.

When it is desired to effect a complete release of thebrakes, the handle I49 is moved to Release position, whereupon the brake valve device IB is operated to entirely release the fluid pressure brakes, and the current controlling device I6 is operated to deenergize the eddy current brake windings I0.

It is to be noted that the operator may select any desired degree of braking by moving the handle I40 to different positions in the Application zone, and that thereafter the parts funce tion automatically to cut out the fluid pressure brake when the desired braking is obtained; and when the eddy current braking decreases at the end of the stop, the fluid pressure brakes are cut in and then a little later the eddy current brakes are cut out.

If at any time the eddy current brakes are applied there should be a failure of the power supply, as should the trolley I58 leave the trolley wire, then the eddy current brake windings will be deenergized and the resulting decrease in the rate of retardation will cause the body IIO to move to the right, ahead of the body I06. Contacts I24 will then be momentarily closed, relay 3!] will be energized, magnet valve device 24 deenergized, and the fluid pressure brakes thus released. After a definite interval of time the relay 35. will close its contacts I54, to again energize the magnet valve device 24 to apply the fluid pressure brakes.

When the rate of retardation increases due to the reapplication of the fluid pressure brakes, body I I I! will open contacts I29 and I341 and again deenergize the magnet valve device 24. Thereafter the cycle will repeat itself until the vehicle stops or the power supply comes back on. It will thus be seen that the fluid pressure brakes are cut into action upon the loss of power supply to the eddy current brakes.

The degree of application of the fluid pressure brakes is controlled according to the position of the pivot carrier 9| in the brake valve'devic'e I8. The position of this pivot carrier determines the amount the supply valve 16 is opened. Therefore, the pressure will build up in the pressure chamber 15 until the movable abutment is actuated far enough to the right to seat the supply valve IS. The supply is then lapped.

If while the fluid pressure brakes are applied the power supply should come back on, the rate of retardation would increase, and contact I30 would disengage from contact I29 and re-engage contact I28. Magnet valve device 24 would then again be deenergized and the fluid pressure brakes be cut out of action. Thereafter the apparatus would function as during a normal service application of the brakes.

If it is desired to effect a graduated application of the brakes by progressively moving the handle I40 into the Application zone, this may be accomplished in the manner commonly employed in manipulating the ordinary brake valve device. The release time of relay 28 will in all cases be great enough so that the increased rate of retardation for each progressive step will be attained before the relay will have closed its contacts. This insures that the eddy current brakes will not be cut out of action between each step.

When it is desired to effect an emergency application of the brakes, the handle I40 is moved to the extreme end of the Application zone. In this position the drum 31 of the current controlling device is rotated to cut out all of the resistance 43, and to thereby energize the eddy current brake winding I0 to a maximum degree. The brake valve device I8 is also operated to supply the maximum degree of fluid under pressure to the pressure chamber 75. This pressure will be sufficient to actuate piston 61 in the cutoff valve device 22 to cause slide valve 66 to blank the passage connecting with pipe I41 and to connect pipe I49 with a passage I82 leading to the piston chamber 65, so that fluid under pressure is supplied direct from the brake valve device I8 to the relay valve devices 20.

An emergency application is intended to be used only when the inertia operated mechanism 32, or the relays 26, 28 and 30 are inoperative. Therefore, both the eddy current brakes and the fluid pressure brakes may be applied to a maximum degree, as the magnet valve device 24 will have been by-passed. If, however, the circuit to the eddy current brake windings is opened by energization of circuit breaker I60, due to faulty operation of the relays, then the fluid pressure brakes only will be applied. These will however be adequate to stop the vehicle or train.

Itis to be pointed out that the design of the cams I42 and I43 will have to be determined experimentally. For each position of the contact group I28, I29 and I30 there is a corresponding position of the drum 31 and the pivot carrier 9|. Therefore, for each degree of excitation of the eddy current brake windings, as the speed of the vehicle decreases at point will be reached where the effectiveness of the eddy current brakes decreases, contacts I28 and I30 engage, and the fluid pressure brakes thus cut in.

For example, referring to Figure 6, I have shown four curves which have been drawn to illustrate the relation between speed of the vehicle and rate of retardation, or torque, due to application of the eddy current brakes. Considering first the solid line curve, if the eddy current brakes are applied at some high speed, then as the speed decreases the braking effect will decrease, until at some point, as that represented by the letter A, the rate of retardation has decreased to about half of its most constant value. The fluid pressure brakes can then be cut in with fluid supplied to the brake cylinders at some pressure determined experimentally to be about right to bring the vehicle or train to a stop at a rate not exceeding the above referred to half value.

In a similar manner, if the eddy current brake windings are energized to a lower degree, the fluid pressure brakes can be cut in with some predetermined braking effect at points represented by the letters B, C and D on the other three curves. The proper design of the cams I42 and I43 are thus determined.

While I have illustrated and described my invention in connection with one embodiment thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and changes therein may be made, and I do not therefore wish to be limited to the particular embodiment shown, nor otherwise than by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, fluid pressure brake means, electric brake means, means for supplying fluid under pressure to the fluid pressure brake means, means for supplying current to the electric brake means, an inertia operated mechanism operated according to the rate of retardation of the vehicle, and means responsive to operation of said inertia operated mechanism at a chosen rate of retardation for cutting one of said brake means out of action.

2. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, fluid pressure brake means, electric brake means, means for supplying fluid under pressure to the fluid pressure brake means, means for supplying current to the electric brake means, contacts adapted to be manually moved to different positions, means operated according to the rate of retardation of the vehicle for operating said contacts, and means controlled by said contacts for cutting one of said brake means out of action at a chosen rate of retardation.

3. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, a

fluid pressure brake means, electric brake means,

means for supplying fluid under pressure to the fluid pressure brake means, means for supplying current to the electric brake means, normally closed contacts, inertia operated means for opening said normally closed contacts at a chosen rate of retardation of the vehicle, an electroresponsive valve means responsive to opening of said contacts for cutting off the supply to and for effecting a release of the fluid pressure brake means.

4. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, a brake cylinder, an electrodynamic brake device, means for supplying fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder, means for supplying current to the electrodynamic brake device, a normally energized electrically operated valve device operable when deenergized to effect a cutting off of the supply to the brake cylinder and to efiect a release of fluid under pressure from the brake cylinder, normally closed contacts, means operated at a chosen rate of retardation of the vehicle for opening said normally closed contacts, and means responsive to opening of said contacts for deenergizing said electrically operated valve device.

5. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, a 75 brake cylinder, an eddy current brake device having an exciting Winding, means for supplying fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder, means for supplying current to said winding, a normally energized magnet valve device operable when deenergized to eiiect a cutting off of the supply to the brake cylinder and to effect a release of fluid under pressure from the brake cylinder, a circuit for supplying current to energize said magnet valve device, normally closed contacts in said circuit, means for positioning said contacts away from a biased position a distance according to a desired braking efiect, and inertia operated means operable at said desired braking effect to open said normally closed contacts.

6. In a fluid pressure brake system, in combination, a brake cylinder, an eddy current brake device having an exciting winding, a control mechanism having a handle operable to different degrees, brake valve means for supplying fluid under,pressure to the brake cylinder according to the degree of movement of said handle, current controlling means for supplying current to said winding also according to the degree of movement of said handle, contacts adapted to be operated from a biased position to a distance also corresponding to the degree of movement of said handle, inertia operated means operated according to the rate of retardation of the vehicle for operating said contacts, and means responsive to operation of said contacts by said inertia operated means for cutting off the supply to the brake cylinder and for releasing fluid under pressure from the brake cylinder.

7. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, fluid pressure brake means, electric brake means, means for supplying current to the electric brake means, means operable when the effectiveness of the electric brake means diminishes below a predetermined value for supplying fluid under pressure to the fluid pressure brake means, and means for preventing supply of fluid under pressure to the fluid pressure brake means when the decrease in effectiveness of the electric brake means is due to slipping of the Wheels.

8. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, fluid pressure brake means, electric brake means for producing a braking effect according to the speed of rotation of the vehicle wheels, means for supplying current to the electric brake means, means for supplyin fluid under pressure to the fluid pressure brake means, an inertia operated mechanism having two bodies independently operated according to the rate of retardation of the vehicle, means responsive to operation of one of said bodies for cutting off the supply to and for releasing fluid under pressure from the fluid pressure brake means, means operable when the efiectiveness of the electric brake means diminishes below a predetermined value for resupp-lying fluid under pressure to the fluid pressure brake means, and means governed by operation of both of said bodies for preventing said resupply to the fluid pressure brake means when the decrease in effectiveness of the electric brake means is due alone to wheel slipping.

9. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, a brake cylinder, an electric brake device operable to produce a braking efiect which decreases in effectiveness at low vehicle speeds, means for suppiying current to the electric brake device, means operable when the electric brake device is effective for rendering the brake cylinder ineffective to produce a braking force, an inertia operated mechanism having two bodies independently operated according to changes in the rate of speed of the vehicle, one of said bodies being adapted to move ahead or" the other of said bodies upon a change in the rate of speed of the vehicle, means rendered operable upon a predetermined decrease in effectiveness of the electric brake device for supplying fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder, and means governed by relative movement between said two bodies for preventing said supply to the brake cylinder during slipping of the vehicle wheels.

10. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, a brake cylinder, an electric brake device having an exciting winding and being operable to produce a braking effect which diminishes as the speed of the vehicle diminishes, means for supplying current to said winding to cause said electric brake device to produce a braking effect, means operable while said electric brake device is efiective for preventing supply of fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder and operable when the effectiveness of the electric brake device decreases for effecting a supply to the brake cylinder, an inertia operated mechanism having one body movable directly according to the rate of speed change of the vehicle and a second body movable with delayed motion also according to the rate of speed change of the vehicle, contacts carried by one of said bodies and being adapted to be operated by the other of said bodies during speed changes of the vehicle, said contacts being operated when the effectiveness of the electric brake device decreases due to slipping of the vehicle wheels, and means controlled by said contacts for preventing supply of fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder when the decrease in efifectiveness of the e1ectric braiie device is due alone to slipping of the vehicle wheels.

11. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, a brake cylinder, an electric brake device, means for supplying current to said electric brake device, said electric brake device being operable to produce a braking efiect which diminishes in effectiveness at low vehicle speeds, at first body and a second body movable in parallel pathways according to the rate of speed change of the vehicle, means for causing one of said bodies to move with a delayed time interval, contacts carried by one of said bodies and adapted to be operated by the other when said bodies are caused to move due to a change in the rate of speed of the vehicle, means responsive to operation of said contacts for causing sand to be deposited on the track rails, and means also responsive to operation of said contacts for delaying the supply of fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder for a chosen interval of time.

12. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, a brake cylinder, an electric brake device, means for supplying current to the electric brake device, means operable while the electric brake device is effective in producing a desired braking effect for preventing supply of fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder, means operable when the electric brakingefiect diminishes below a predetermined value for eiiecting a supply of fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder, and means for delaying said supply to the brake cylinder for a definite interval of time.

13. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, a brake cylinder, an electric brake device operable to produce a braking effect which diminishes at low vehicle speeds, means for supplying current to the electric brake device, means for supplying fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder, normally closed contacts, inertia operated means for opening said contacts, means responsive to opening of said contacts for cutting off the supply to and releasing fluid under pressure from the brake cylinder, means operable upon a decrease in the braking eflEect produced by the electric brake device for resupplying fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder, and means for delaying said resupply for a chosen length of time.

14. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, a brake cylinder, an electric brake device operable to produce a braking effect which diminishes at low vehicle speeds, means for supplying current to the electric brake device, means operable while the electric brake device is effective for preventing supply of fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder and operable when the electric brake device decreases in effectiveness for supplying fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder, a first body and a second body adapted to be operated according to the rate of change in the speed of the vehicle, means for delaying movement of one body with respect to movement of the other body, contacts carried by one of said bodies and adapted to be operated upon relative movement between said bodies, said bodies being adapted to be operated with relative movement therebetween upon a sudden decrease in effectiveness of the electric brake device, and a relay adapted to be energized when said contacts are so operated to prevent a supply of fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder and operable when deenergized to effect after a predetermined interval of time a supply of fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder.

15. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, fluid pressure brake means, electric brake means, means for supplying fluid under pressure to effect an application of the fluid pressure brake means, means for supplying current to the electric brake means, electroresponsive valve means adapted to be operated to cut off the fluid supplied to effect an application of the fluid pressure brake means so long as the electric brake means is effective, and a valve device operated upon a predetermined pressure of the fluid supplied to effect an application of the fluid pressure brake means for preventing the cutting off of said supply.

16. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, a brake cylinder, an electric brake device, a relay valve device for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder, a self-lapping brake valve device operable to supply fluid under pressure to operate said relay valve device, a current controlling device operable to supply current to said electric brake device to different degrees, normally closed movable contacts having a biased position, manually operated control means for operating said contacts away from said biased position and for operating said brake valve device and current controlling device according to a desired braking efiect, inertia operated means operated according to the rate of retardation of the vehicle for opening said normally closed contacts, means responsive to opening of said contacts for cutting off the supply from said brake valve device to said relay valve device and for releasing fluid under pressure supplied to operate the relay valve device, and valve means operated upon a predetermined increase in pressure of fluid supplied by said brake valve device for resupplying fluid under pressure to operate said relay valve device.

17. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, brake means, a first body movable according to the rate of retardation of the vehicle, a second body movable in a parallel pathway also accord ing to the rate of retardation of the vehicle, resilient means for opposing movement of each of said bodies, a third body movable in the same pathwa as said second body also according to the rate of retardation of the vehicle, resilient means interposed between said second and third bodies and adapted to transmit forces between said bodies, said third body being operable to cause said second body to respond to changes in the rate of retardation of the vehicle slower than said first body, contacts carried by said first body, means carried by another of said bodies for operating said contacts, and means controlled by said contacts for controlling said brake means.

18. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, brake means, a first body adapted to roll in a linear pathway according to the rate of retardation of the vehicle, a first spring for opposing movement of said body, a second body adapted to roll in a linear pathway parallel to that of said first body also according to the rate of retardation of the vehicle, a second spring for opposing movement of said second body, a third body adapted to roll in said second pathway also according to the rate of retardation of the vehicle, a third spring interposed between said second and third bodies and adapted to transmit forces between said two bodies, said third body being operable to delay movement of said second body with respect to movement of said first body upon either an increase or decrease in the rate of retardation of the vehicle, a set of contacts, means for operating said contacts when said first body moves relative to said second body, and means controlled by said contacts for controlling said brake means.

19. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, brake means, a first body and a second body and a third body all movable according to the rate of retardation of the vehicle, resilient means for opposing movement of said first and second bodies in one direction, resilient means interposed between said second and third bodies and adapted to transmit forces between said bodies, said third body being operable to delay movement of said second body with respect to movement of said first body upon changes in the rate of retardation of the vehicle, a normally closed and a normally open contact adapted to be opened and closed respectively by said first body, a second group of normally open contacts carried by said first body and adapted to be operated by said second body upon relative movement between said first and second bodies, and means controlled by said two groups of contacts for controlling said brake means.

20. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, a brake cylinder, means for effecting a supply of fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder, a normally energized magnet valve device operable when deenergized to effect a cutting off of the supply to the brake cylinder and to release fluid under pressure from the brake cylinder, a circuit for energizing said magnet valve device, normally closed contacts in said circuit, inertia operated means operated according to the rate of retardation of the vehicle for opening said contacts, and a valve device operated upon a predetermined increase in pressure for effecting a resupply of fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder.

21. In a vehicle brake system, in combination,

an electric brake device, a brake cylinder, means for supplying current to the electric brake device,

means for supplying fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder, means operable while the electric brake device is effective for cutting off the supply to and releasing fluid under pressure from the brake cylinder, and means operable when the effectiveness of the electric brake device decreases below a chosen value for effecting a resupply of fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder and for deenergizing the electric brake device.

22. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, a brake cylinder, an electric brake device, means for supplying fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder, means for supplying current to the electric brake device, a normally closed contact and a normally open contact, inertia operated means operated according to the rate of retardation of the vehicle for opening said normally closed contact and for closing said normally open contact, said normally open contact being adapted tobe reopened when the rate of retardation diminishes due to decrease in effectiveness of the electric brake device, means responsive to opening of said normally closed contact for cutting off the supply to and for releasing fluid under pressure from the brake cylinder, a first relay and a second relay adapted to be energized upon closing of said normally open contact, means operable upon energization of said first relay for forming a holding circuit for said relay, and a circuit closable upon deenergization of said second relay when said normally open contact is reopened and when said first relay is energized for causing fluid under pressure to be resupplied to the brake cylinder.

23. In combination, a first body adapted to be moved by force of inertia in a linear pathway, resilient means for opposing movement of said body in one direction and operable to actuate said body to. a biased position upon absence of said force of inertia, a second body adapted to be moved by force of inertia in a linear pathway parallel to said first pathway, a second resilient means for opposing movement of said second body in one direction and operable to actuate said second body to a biased position when said force of inertia is absent, a third body also movable by force of inertia in said second linear pathway, a third resilient means interposed between said second and third bodies, said third body being operable to transmit its force of inertia to said second body through said third resilient means with a delayed time interval, said third resilient means being operable to retain the force of inertia transmitted by said third body to said second body for a predetermined interval of time when the force of inertia on said third body is decreased, whereby said second body is caused to be delayed in movement with respect to movement of said first body, contacts carried by said first body, and means associated with said second body for operating said contacts when all of said bodies are caused to move due to a change in the forces of inertia acting upon said bodies.

24. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, fluid pressure brake means, electric brake means for producing a braking effect according to the speed of rotation of the vehicle wheels, means for supplying current to the electric brake means, means for supplying fluid under pressure to the fluid pressure brake means, an inertia operated mechanism having a first set of contacts operated upon a predetermined increase in the rate of contacts operated upon a chosen change in 9 the rate of retardation, means responsive to operation of said first set of contacts for cutting off the supply to and releasing fluid under pressure from the fluid pressure brake means, means operable when the braking eiiect produced by the electric brake means diminishes below a predetermined value for resupplying fluid under pressure to said fluid pressure brake means, and means responsive to operation of said second set of contacts for delaying said resupply for a definite interval of time.

25. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, an electric brake device, a brake cylinder, means for supplying current to the electric brake device, means for supplying fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder, means operable while the electric brake device is effective for cutting off the supply to and releasing fluid under pressure from the brake cylinder, means operable when the effectiveness of the electric brake device decreases below a chosen value for eflecting a resupply of fluid under pressure to the brakecylinder and for deenergizing the electric brake device, and means for delaying for a predetermined interval of time the deenergization of said electric brake device after resupply of fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder has been effected.

26. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, electric brake means operable to produce a braking efiect which diminishes as the speed of wheels associated with said brake diminishes, means for supplying current to said electric brake means, and means operable when the effectiveness of the electric brake means diminishes due to slipping of the wheels for causing sand to be applied to the rails.

27. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, an electric brake device operable to produce a braking effect which diminishes in effectiveness at low rotational speeds, means for supplying current to the electric brake device, an inertia operated. mechanism having two bodies independently operated according to changes in the rate of speed of the vehicle, one of said bodies being adapted to move ahead of the other of said bodies upon a change in the rate of speed of the vehicle, means for sanding the rails, and means governed by relative movement between the said two bodies for causing said last means to operate to apply sand to the rails.

28. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, an electric brake device operable to, produce a braking effect which decreases in effectiveness at low rotational speeds, means for supplying current to the electric brake device, an inertia operated mechanism having one bodymovable directly according to the rate of speed change of the vehicle and a second body movable with delayed motion alsoaccording to the rate of speed ated according to the rate of retardation of the vehicle, and means responsive to operation of said last means at a chosen rate of retardation for cutting one of said brake means out of action. ,5

30. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, means, and means for preventing application of two brake means, means for effecting an applisaid unapplied brake means when the decrease cation of one of said brake means, means operin effectiveness of the applied brake means is due able when the effectiveness of the applied brake to slipping of the vehicle wheels.

5 means diminishes below a predetermined value 6 for efiecting an application of the unapplied brake JOHN W. LOGAN, J R. 

